Navigating Health Insurance Open Enrollment

If the words “open enrollment” give you heartburn, read on. We’re here to make signing up for health insurance something that you can not only survive, but feel good about!

What is open enrollment?

Open enrollment is a time for people to sign up for a health insurance plan if:

They won’t have insurance through their job or

They won’t be covered as a dependent (spouse, child, etc.) of someone who does, as of January 1, 2019.

When is open enrollment?

Open enrollment has strict deadlines. It begins Thursday, November 1 and goes through Saturday, December 15, 2018. Coverage selected during this time is effective January 1st. Unlike previous years, if you miss the December 15th deadline, there are no extensions.

What do I need to do?

Call us! Our two health insurance experts, Sharon and Leo, will make an appointment to sit down and walk you through the whole process, step by step. This service is totally free to you and allows you to ask questions without having to navigate a phone tree and sit on hold until Christmas. We do all the work for you! (There really isn’t a catch. It’s just what we do.)

If you qualify for Washington Apple Health, which is free or low-cost insurance for households meeting specified income levels, the Family Resource Center is an excellent place to go for help with the enrollment process. While you’re there, check out all the other amazing programs they have!

Not sure if you qualify for Apple Health? The Washington Health Plan Finder website has a quick way to determine preliminary eligibility. Just click “Browse Plans” on the homepage and enter some information about your household size and annual income – you’ll be notified that you may be eligible.